As more grocers aim to carry healthier food, competition is becoming quite fierce for online mainstays like Thrive Market. Eating right tends to starve your bank account. And it’s not exactly a state secret that it’s pricey.
But when brands like Thrive Market came along, all that changed for the better. Consumers were able to get good food without breaking the bank. But by doing that, it started putting a dent in brick-and-mortar retail giants.
Not content to rest on their laurels, these same stores are now playing a defensive and offensive game. They’re stocking more gluten-free foods in an attempt to offset the impact to their businesses caused by these online liberators.
Today, we want to focus on Aldi and how they’re working to pull your business away from the online marketplace of Thrive Market. There are some good things happening behind the scenes of both, so let’s find out which is better-suited to your needs.
Thrive Market
You might not know it by how much their inventory has grown since their inception, but Thrive Market is barely 6 years old. They have blossomed into a reputable vendor, providing quality health foods at incredible prices.
Thrive Market does a lot to better the planet and the folks living on it. I’ve become quite fond of their business practices – ones that I’d like to see other companies adopt.
For one, Thrive Market works hard to impact the earth in as few ways as possible.
They pack and ship goods with materials that are 100 percent recyclable. This is a great way for consumers to get involved by seeing their shipping containers repurposed.
Thrive Market also ensures that no waste is produced at their warehouses. It’s a very environmentally-conscious brand, and that’s just on the backend. They also work to assist families in need.
Any time someone begins a new membership with them, Thrive Market gives one away to a family that is less fortunate. And these memberships aren’t just a card with your name on it.
No, Thrive Market memberships allow you to gain access to the online store’s vast selection of goods and food products. Some items are up to 50 percent less than what you’d pay in a popular retail chain.
With business practices and savings like that, it’s easy to see why people prefer using Thrive Market. But how does one get in on the action?
You first need to sign up and pay a fee. Yes, there’s additional cost involved, but you’ll get that back in more ways than one. For $59.95 a year, you’ll be able shop with Thrive as much as you like.
And if you don’t earn your membership back via savings, Thrive Market will apply any difference at the end of the year when you renew again.
Don’t like the idea of starting yet another membership? No problem there, as Thrive Market has an option that accommodates those who shop with them on a limited basis.
For just $9.95, you can pay for only the months you need them.
Regardless of whether you’re a yearly or monthly member, Thrive Market gives free shipping on orders that total $49 and up. And if it’s your first time buying, your order just has to come to $25 for you to get your items shipped free of charge.
Thrive Market has auto-delivery options, too. This is great when you need to ensure that you don’t run out of any one item.
Aldi
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard of Aldi. This budget-friendly grocer has recently expanded their efforts to reach a larger audience. And by the looks of things, it’s paying off nicely.
For those not in-the-know, Aldi has been around longer than most of us have been alive. They were founded in 1946, growing into the juggernaut they are today.
Don’t let their quaint stores fool you – this is one serious money-making machine.
Aldi rakes in a cool $60 billion each year, with no signs of letting up. Many of their stores nationwide have been updated, modernized, and are now carrying a litany of health-conscious food items.
The biggest differences between them and Thrive Market are their methods of operation and inventory. While it’s true Aldi is carrying more health foods than they used to, they can’t come close to Thrive Market.
Not only that, Thrive Market specializes in natural remedies, supplements, and more. And as where Thrive Market delivers their products directly to their customers, Aldi does not.
If you want their goods, you’ll have to drive to your nearest Aldi and shop for them on your own.
While this is a detriment to those who prefer to do their ordering behind the screens, Aldi adheres to this practice in order to keep their costs low. It’s a model that serves both their employees and customers well.
Aldi can afford to pay their staff a higher wage than many other retailers. And their prices are very hard to compete with. Not only that, Aldi doesn’t require a paid membership like Thrive Market.
When comparing the two in that regard, I found Aldi to consistently come out on top. But, it’s not exactly apples to oranges. Aldi simply doesn’t have as much to choose from as Thrive Market on the health side of things.
If you’re looking for a bigger selection of non-GMO foods, Thrive Market handily beats Aldi. But if you’re looking for the cheapest prices, Aldi gets the nod. As you can see, it comes down to your personal needs.
Since Aldi isn’t likely to start delivery services any time soon, Thrive Market gets the win in terms of user-friendliness and convenience.
See product comparisons: Thrive Market Coffee Review
Bottom Line
Both Aldi and Thrive Market are beloved brands in their own right. With the former, you can save a few bucks, but your selection of health foods is going to be greatly limited.
With the latter, you can easily stock up your cupboards from an inventory of over 6,000 items. All from the comfort and privacy of your own home.
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